Auditions for “The Who’s Tommy” – Summer Youth Production

Sunday, April 7
2:00 – 6:00PM

The 2019 Broadview Heights Spotlights Summer Youth Production is The Who’s Tommy. Based on the band’s iconic 1969 rock concept album, this rock opera is an exhilarating story of hope, healing and the human spirit. The story of the pinball-playing, deaf, dumb and blind boy who triumphs over his adversities has inspired, amazed and puzzled audiences. The show celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2019!

Auditions will be held by appointment on Sunday, April 7 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Auditioners should sign up for an audition slot at www.broadview-heights-spotlights.org. Invited callbacks, if necessary, will be held on Thursday, April 11. Rehearsals will begin at the end of April. The show runs June 20 – 30, and will be the premiere production the Spotlights’ new 3200-square-foot performance space!

The show will be directed by Tim Anderson, music directed by Ryan Bergeron, and choreographed by Maggie Majercik. Performers (ages 12 to 20) are invited to audition. There are a small number of roles available for younger performers, and those interested should contact the director directly at education@broadview-heights-spotlights.org.

The show contains mature language and themes, and those auditioning and their parents should be familiar with the material before auditioning.

Those auditioning should:

Plan to attend only one night of auditions.

Be familiar with the show and its music, language, and themes.

Prepare two one-minute, contrasting songs (one up-tempo, one ballad), at least one of these should be a rock song in the style of the show.

Bring sheet music in the correct keys, hole-punched in a three-ring binder. Singers will not be permitted to sing a cappella.

Bring a list of conflicts between April 22 and June 30 (including all school concerts, lessons, practices, games, family obligations, etc.).

Synopsis

After witnessing the accidental murder of his mother’s lover by his father, Tommy is traumatized into catatonia and, as the boy grows, he suffers abuse at the hands of his sadistic relatives and neighbors. As an adolescent, he’s discovered to have an uncanny knack for playing pinball and, when his mother finally breaks through his catatonia, he becomes an international pinball superstar.

Character List

The production team reserves the right to make non-traditional casting decisions/doubling of roles. Vocal ranges are given as a guide, but are flexible.

Name

Description

Vocal Range

Mrs. Walker

A weary middle-class woman. Mrs. Walker is tired and frustrated from trying to care for and cure Tommy. Tommy’s mother and Captain Walker’s wife.

G3 – D6

Captain Walker

A former soldier with lingering guilt. He murders his wife’s lover after coming back from a POW camp, resulting in Tommy’s trauma-induced blindness, deafness, and dumbness. Father to Tommy and husband to Mrs. Walker.

F3 – C#5

Uncle Ernie

A lecherous, drunken bachelor. Ernie molests a young Tommy and later runs a children’s camp seeking to profit from Tommy’s popularity. Mrs. Walker’s brother and Tommy’s uncle.

G2 – Bb4

Tommy/Narrator

An embittered young genius stricken deaf, dumb, and blind after a childhood trauma. Tommy discovers that he is a natural master of pinball, and later becomes a cult-like hero figure to masses enthralled by his story. Captain Walker and Mrs. Walker’s son.

Db3 – B4

Cousin Kevin

A bully with sadistic tendencies. Tortures his cousin, Tommy, when they’re young and later seizes the opportunity to profit from Tommy’s success.

Ab2 – B4

Gypsy

A brazen drug dealer and prostitute. Tommy’s parents bring him to the Gypsy to experiment with unusual cures.

G3 – F5

The Specialist

A doctor with modern ideas about how to cure Tommy. Tommy’s parents hire him in their desperation to find any cure for their son.

G#3 – F4

Sally Simpson

A bold, sensitive, and excitable teenybopper. Sally develops a fan crush on Tommy and rushes the stage to be close to him.